Agni Purana — Kosha, Shloka 44
Bhūmi–Vana–Auṣadhi–Ādi Vargāḥ (भूमिवनौषध्यादिवर्गाः) — Lexical Groups on Earth, Settlements, Architecture, Forests, Materia Medica, and Fauna
अपामार्गः शैखरिकः प्रत्यक्पर्णी मयूरकः फञ्जिका ब्राह्मणी भार्गी द्रवन्ति शम्बरी वृषा
apāmārgaḥ śaikharikaḥ pratyakparṇī mayūrakaḥ phañjikā brāhmaṇī bhārgī dravanti śambarī vṛṣā
আপামার্গকে শৈখরিক, প্রত্যক্পর্ণী, ময়ূরক, ফঞ্জিকা, ব্রাহ্মণী, ভার্গী, দ্রবন্তী, শম্বরী ও বৃষা—এই সব পর্যানামেও উল্লেখ করা হয়।
Lord Agni (in dialogue, narrating to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Nighaṇṭu-style synonymy helps correctly identify Apāmārga in prescriptions, avoiding regional-name confusion in collection, trade, and formulation.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Apāmārga—Synonym-names (Nighaṇṭu)","lookup_keywords":["Apāmārga","Achyranthes aspera","synonyms","Śaikharika","Pratyakparṇī"],"quick_summary":"This verse gives multiple synonym-names for Apāmārga, enabling accurate drug identification across regions and textual traditions."}
Concept: Śabda–artha-niyama (fixing meaning through synonymy) for reliable practice.
Application: Standardize terminology so the physician and pharmacist handle the same dravya despite local names.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda / Dravyaguna (Materia Medica: medicinal herbs and plant synonyms)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An Ayurvedic vaidya and herb-gatherer identify Apāmārga in a field while consulting a palm-leaf nighaṇṭu listing its many names.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, earthy reds and greens, a vaidya holding palm-leaf manuscript, pointing to Apāmārga plant with spiky inflorescence, minimal background, traditional ornamentation, flat perspective.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central seated Dhanvantari-like physician figure with gold leaf halo, attendants presenting Apāmārga sprigs labeled with synonym names on scrolls, rich textiles, gold embossing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, instructional botanical plate: Apāmārga plant rendered clearly, side panel with Sanskrit synonym list in neat script, soft colors, fine linework.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed herb garden scene, scholar-physician reading a manuscript while a collector shows Apāmārga; fine botanical realism, delicate borders, calligraphic labels of synonyms."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: Verse is primarily a list of plant-names in nominative singular; no major external sandhi. ‘प्रत्यक्पर्णी’ analyzed as a tatpuruṣa compound (प्रत्यक् + पर्णी). Verb ‘द्रवन्ति’ appears as a finite present plural; in such lists it may function idiomatically (names ‘run/occur’), i.e., ‘are known as’.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 362 (Dravyaguṇa/Nighaṇṭu section); Agni Purana Ayurveda-khaṇḍa: dravya-saṃgraha and nāma-bheda lists
FAQs
Ayurvedic Dravyaguṇa knowledge: the verse provides a nighaṇṭu-style synonym list for the medicinal herb Apāmārga, aiding correct identification for therapeutic formulations.
By cataloging medicinal substances through multiple regional/technical names, it functions like a pharmacological glossary—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage beyond theology into practical medical reference material.
Accurate identification of medicinal plants supports dharmic care of the body and community; in Purāṇic framing, preserving health enables sustained ritual practice and righteous living.